{"id":1019,"date":"2025-04-02T15:15:46","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T20:15:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/architecture\/students\/studios\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T14:02:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T19:02:16","slug":"studios","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/architecture\/students\/studios\/","title":{"rendered":"Studios"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Studios are the heart of an architectural education, and studio culture thrives on experimentation and dialogue. You\u2019ll work alongside peers with diverse perspectives and share your ideas through open critique and collaboration. These interactions build more than better designs. They build deep understanding of architecture\u2019s impact on people, places and the planet.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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What to Expect in Studios<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Studio learning connects conceptual thinking with tangible outcomes. Faculty mentors guide your growth while encouraging you to push boundaries and follow your curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Studios<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Core studios build foundational skills in design, drawing, modeling and critical thinking. You’ll progress from spatial understanding to complex architectural problems. Students typically complete core studios in their junior year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elective Studios<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elective studios offer advanced, topic-specific investigations ranging from affordable housing to speculative futures. You’ll pursue personal interests while exploring diverse methods, materials and cultural contexts with faculty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Kaylee

My favorite thing about studying at UWM SARUP is the studio culture! Studios are such a fundamental part of architectural education. At SARUP, there’s a strong sense of community among students and a diverse range of faculty and staff who make for an engaging and challenging experience.<\/p><\/blockquote>

Kaylee Bertrand<\/strong>Architecture student<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
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Sponsored Research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Wells Precast Concrete Studio<\/div>
Wells and the PCI Foundation<\/div>
Students explore innovative precast concrete design and construction methods in one of SARUP’s longest-running industry-supported studios.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Living Well Studio<\/div>
Capri Communities, Direct Supply, and AG Architecture<\/div>
Students imagine age-integrated communities that promote active living and enable people to pursue purposeful and meaningful lives.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Historic Preservation Studio<\/div>
David & Julia Uihlein<\/div>
The Historic Preservation Institute offers students hands-on studios in historic preservation and adaptive reuse.<\/div>Learn More<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
IDD: Building Intentional Communities Studio<\/div>
Groth Design Group<\/div>
Students explore design methods\u00a0to support purpose-built communities for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD).\u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Chipstone Studio<\/div>
The Chipstone Foundation<\/div>
Focused on form, composition and material exploration, this studio encourages students to develop their own design language while examining historical and cultural influences.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Marcus Prize Studio<\/div>
Marcus Corporation Foundation<\/div>
Students work closely with internationally recognized architects on design challenges that explore architecture\u2019s global impact, urban complexity, and cultural relevance.<\/div>Learn More<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Urban Edge Studio<\/div>
Wisconsin Preservation Fund<\/div>
This studio emphasizes bold design thinking for transitional urban areas, encouraging students to propose solutions that address contemporary challenges in evolving cityscapes.<\/div>Learn More<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Undergraduate Core Studio Themes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each studio theme introduces a critical lens for design thinking. Students build fluency in systems, aesthetics, context and collaboration through progressive, hands-on investigations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n